Discussion:
Shakopee citizens have requested for years that a splash pad be added to the menu of available park amenities. Confluence's draft proposals for Lions Park include a proposed splash pad in the developing Master Park Plan. The City of Shakopee has been invited to join the Shakopee Lions Club to partner with Landscape Structures (designers of Shakopee’s “Fun for All” inclusive playground) in order to offer citizens an inclusive splash pad in Lions Park this Summer.
A Shakopee native and inventor, Greg Stoks, is the managing director for the water division of Landscape Structures. Mr. Stoks has developed a patent pending hydraulic activator system which improves efficiency of small splash pads, and Landscape Structures is looking for the right community to benefit from immediate installation of a free system as they reveal the technology action to potential customers this Summer.
Mr. Stoks made the Shakopee Lions Club aware of this opportunity because he knows our community - it's his hometown. Greg's father Dick was the founder of Olympic Pools and Dick actively served the people of Shakopee with the Lions, the Jaycees, the Boy Scouts, the Knights of Columbus, as well as a member of Shakopee's Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.
Landscape Structures (aka Aquatix) provides the system (to include hydraulic activator and all water play features) at no cost and with a three year warranty in exchange for: construction completed early summer; labor and other needed materials for construction provided by others (Lion's Club); approval to photograph and video installation to promote the product; and testimonial upon completion of project about how great and simple to use the product is from city officials.
The Shakopee Lion's Club has already committed to estimated construction costs not to exceed $20,000 in materials while leveraging their experienced and skilled membership as volunteers for labor requirements. In addition, they've committed to long term maintenance costs to include water use fees. The Lions have requested that the city consider covering that water cost, which is estimated at 874,800 gallons annually or roughly $2,600.00 a year.
The proposed inclusive splash pad site is currently a sand volleyball court, which can be relocated. This site is relatively flat, and the sand provides an excellent subsurface. The location compliments the "Fun for All Playground" and doesn’t impact existing trees, the disc-golf course, or other existing amenities. The parking lot and bathrooms are easily accessible.
The inclusive splash pad project is a fantastic opportunity for a public-private-public partnership which provides immeasurable benefit to Shakopee citizens without those taxpayers having to bear the burden of the cost. Should council choose to pass on this opportunity, Shakopee citizens will continue to wait for the splash pad they’ve requested, and those taxpayers can expect it will cost them a minimum of $78,000 and likely far more.